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After a bizarre saga that spanned several countries, it appears that the Nuggets do have the backup center they have long sought for Nikola Jokić.
Jonas Valančiūnas told a European outlet that he indeed plans to play in the NBA this year.
The team acquired the veteran NBA center on July 13, but shortly after the trade was reported, it was reported that he was also in talks to join European powerhouse Panathinaikos in Greece. The Nuggets were unaware of Valančiūnas’ interest in leaving the NBA while acquiring him.
“I want to clear the air about my playing situation next season now that Denver has made their decision to keep me,” Valančiūnas said to BasketNews.com, a European basketball site that published his comments Monday. “The idea of playing for Panathinaikos, closer to home, was very exciting to me, but that will have to wait. I am fully committed to honoring my contract with the Nuggets this season and will give it my all to compete for a championship.”
Valančiūnas’ situation led to confusion in NBA circles when his flirtation with Panathinaikos was reported. He still has two years and more than $20 million left on his contract with the Nuggets and couldn’t sign with a European team without being bought out of it.
On July 8, Valančiūnas was cryptic about his NBA future when he was asked about it while speaking at a Lithuanian basketball conference.
“We’ll only find out when the first game is played,” Valančiūnas said, according to a local television station. “Everything will be clear.”
On Friday, Nuggets Nuggets executive vice president of basketball operations Ben Tenzer said there were “no concerns” about whether Valančiūnas would actually show up stateside. Valančiūnas is expected to join Denver after playing for his country in EuroBasket, which starts in August. A league source had previously told Front Office Sports that the Nuggets expected Valančiūnas to honor his contract without issue.
Valančiūnas, 33, has played for five teams across his 13-year career and has more than $145 million in career earnings, according to Spotrac. Valančiūnas is part of a new-look roster around Jokic assembled by Tenzer and Jon Wallace, who co-lead the Nuggets front office since the organization shockingly fired both general manager Calvin Booth and coach Michael Malone towards the end of the regular season.
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